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CDL learner’s permit · Illinois

Illinois CDL permit test: fees, testing and the state manual

As of October 26, 2026, the Illinois Secretary of State charges $50 when a driver who holds an Illinois non-CDL license adds a commercial learner’s permit.

An Illinois commercial learner’s permit is valid for one year, starting when the applicant receives the temporary card.

The Illinois Secretary of State points CDL applicants to its online Facility Finder for testing locations and office hours (per ilsos.gov, checked on Oct 26, 2026).

Updated Oct 26, 2026Rules checked against ilsos.govHow we check
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Illinois CDL permit at a glance

CLP fee
$50source, Oct 26, 2026
General knowledge questions
30source, Oct 26, 2026
Passing score
80%source, Oct 26, 2026
Minimum age, in-state driving
18source, Oct 26, 2026

The official Illinois CDL manual

The Illinois Secretary of State posts its CDL Study Guide online in the Publications section and describes it as covering what an applicant needs for both the CLP and the CDL. Open it on ilsos.gov source, Oct 26, 2026

Illinois CDL questions people ask

How much does a commercial learner’s permit cost in Illinois?

If you hold a regular Illinois license, adding a CLP costs $50, and renewing an original CLP is another $50. Drivers who already have a CDL and need a CLP to upgrade their class or add an endorsement pay $5 instead.

After you earn the license, each CDL renewal costs $60, the same as moving a CDL from another state to Illinois, or $65 when the license also carries a motorcycle class.

Source: Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP)

How long is an Illinois CLP good for, and who must ride with you?

The permit is good for one year, counted from the day you get the temporary card; the permanent card arrives by mail within 15 business days. Your base license has to stay valid for that entire year, so renew it first if it would lapse sooner.

Wait at least 14 days after the CLP is issued before the pre-trip, skills and road tests, although you may book a later date in advance. Until you pass, a licensed driver with the right class and endorsements has to be with you every time you drive, including the trip to the testing facility.

A second permit after the one-year cycle is not automatic: you repeat every applicable written, skills and drive test and pay the fee again.

Sources: Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) · Commercial Driver's License FAQs

What is on the Illinois CDL knowledge test?

Every applicant takes the computerized General (Core) Knowledge test, 30 multiple-choice questions picked at random. A Class A license adds the combination test, an air-brake vehicle adds the air brake test, and each endorsement brings its own test.

The tests are offered in English only. You can ask for the audio version, where the computer reads each question, and you may later request an oral test through facility management. You need 80% on each test, or 90% on the school bus test.

Failing the same test three times means a 30-day wait; six failures, 90 days; nine, a full year. A new fee is charged after each waiting period.

Sources: Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) · Commercial Driver's License FAQs

How does the Illinois CDL skills test work?

The Secretary of State gives the pre-trip inspection, basic control skills and road test at its CDL facilities, on a predetermined route near the facility. Book online through the CDL appointment page or by phone, and bring a vehicle that matches the class, air brakes and endorsements you want on the license.

Each vehicle must show proof of insurance, valid plates and a current safety inspection before the test starts, and video or recording devices are not allowed during any part of it.

Sources: Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) · Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Scheduling · Commercial Driver's License FAQs

Who can get an Illinois CLP or CDL?

You must be 18 to drive commercially inside Illinois and 21 for interstate trips or passengers. You also need proof of legal presence and a medical self-certification, with an acceptable medical certificate if you declare yourself a non-excepted interstate driver.

Non-domiciled CDLs and CLPs came back on August 31, 2026, but only for H-2A, H-2B and E-2 visa holders, and they last up to one year or until the visa expires, whichever is first. Citizens of Mexico or Canada cannot get a non-domiciled Illinois CLP or CDL.

Sources: Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) · Commercial Driver's License (CDL) - Proof of Legal Presence

Federal rules that apply here too

These come from the FMCSA and 49 CFR and are the same in every state. All federal CDL rules

Minimum age for a CLP
18source, Oct 26, 2026
Minimum age to drive interstate
21source, Oct 26, 2026
Days with a CLP before the skills test
14source, Oct 26, 2026
Passing score, each knowledge test
80%source, Oct 26, 2026

Every Illinois CDL rule we checked

One line per rule, each from an official Illinois page with the date we read it.

Fees
The Illinois Secretary of State charges $50 when a driver who holds an Illinois non-CDL license adds a commercial learner’s permit. source, Oct 26, 2026
An Illinois CDL holder who upgrades the license class or adds an endorsement and needs an original CLP for it pays the Illinois Secretary of State $5. source, Oct 26, 2026
Renewing an Illinois CDL, or transferring a CDL from another state, costs $60 at the Illinois Secretary of State. source, Oct 26, 2026
Where to take the tests
The Illinois Secretary of State points CDL applicants to its online Facility Finder for testing locations and office hours. source, Oct 26, 2026
State CDL manual
The Illinois Secretary of State posts its CDL Study Guide online in the Publications section and describes it as covering what an applicant needs for both the CLP and the CDL. source, Oct 26, 2026
CLP rules in the state
An Illinois commercial learner’s permit is valid for one year, starting when the applicant receives the temporary card. source, Oct 26, 2026
Illinois requires a CLP holder to keep the permit at least 14 days before the skills and drive tests, but the appointment can be booked ahead for a date after that wait. source, Oct 26, 2026
Illinois law requires anyone driving on a CLP to be accompanied at all times by a licensed driver with the proper class and endorsements. source, Oct 26, 2026
Knowledge test in the state
The Illinois General (Core) Knowledge test, required of every CLP applicant, has 30 random multiple-choice questions on CDL laws, the CDL program and commercial vehicles. source, Oct 26, 2026
Illinois gives its CDL knowledge tests in English only, with an audio option in which the computer reads the questions aloud. source, Oct 26, 2026
Each Illinois CDL knowledge test needs a score of at least 80%, except the school bus test, which needs 90%. source, Oct 26, 2026
An Illinois applicant who fails the same CDL exam three times must wait 30 days from the third failure before testing again. source, Oct 26, 2026
Skills test
The Illinois CDL skills test has three parts (pre-trip inspection, basic control skills and the road test), and the test vehicle needs proof of insurance, valid plates and a current safety inspection. source, Oct 26, 2026
Illinois CDL skills and drive tests are booked with the Secretary of State online or by phone at 1-800-252-8980. source, Oct 26, 2026
Who can apply
Illinois issues a CLP or CDL at 18 for driving within the state, and requires age 21 for interstate commerce or for carrying passengers. source, Oct 26, 2026
The Illinois Secretary of State resumed issuing non-domiciled CDLs and CLPs on August 31, 2026, under the updated federal rule. source, Oct 26, 2026

Practice for the CDL knowledge tests

The knowledge tests follow the same federal standards in Illinois and every other state, so the pack is the same everywhere. Try 30 questions free first.

One-time payment

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  • Every question for the general knowledge, air brakes and combination tests
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Refunds: Full refund within 7 days of purchase, no questions asked.

OneTryPass is not affiliated with the Illinois Secretary of State. Illinois's CDL rules are free at ilsos.gov.

Illinois CDL FAQ

Where can I get the Illinois CDL Study Guide?

The Secretary of State posts the CDL Study Guide online in its Publications section, and the CDL page also links a Spanish version. The guide covers what you need for both the CLP and the CDL. Source: official pages "Commercial Driver's License FAQs" and "Helpful Information", checked on Oct 26, 2026.

Where do I take the Illinois CDL tests?

Use the Secretary of State Facility Finder to see locations and hours. Skills and drive testing needs an appointment, made online or by calling 217-785-3013 on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Source: official pages "Commercial Driver's License FAQs" and "Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Scheduling", checked on Oct 26, 2026.

Do I retake the tests when I move my CDL to Illinois?

Usually not. A valid out-of-state CDL with the same class and endorsements skips the written tests (hazmat excepted) and, unless you are 75 or older, the skills tests too. A CDL that expired less than a year ago still waives the written tests. Source: official page "Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP)", checked on Oct 26, 2026.

Is there a separate CDL practice test for Illinois?

No. Every state builds its CDL knowledge tests for each vehicle group and endorsement from the same FMCSA pre-approved pool of test questions (49 CFR 383.133). One OneTryPass CDL pack covers Illinois and every other state; what changes in Illinois is on this page: fees, where you test and the state manual. Source: official page "49 CFR 383.133, Test methods (eCFR)", checked on Oct 26, 2026.

Is OneTryPass affiliated with the Illinois Secretary of State?

No. OneTryPass is an independent practice site. Illinois's CDL rules and manual are free on the Illinois Secretary of State website, linked on this page.

Where this information comes from

Every Illinois rule on this page comes from the Illinois Secretary of State or Illinois law, read on the official site. OneTryPass writes each rule in plain English and records the date. A rule that passes its re-check date leaves this page on its own until it is read again.

How often each kind of rule is read again: fees, 90 days; where to take the tests, 120 days; state CDL manual, 180 days; CLP rules in the state, 180 days; knowledge test in the state, 120 days; skills test, 180 days; who can apply, 180 days.

Something wrong on this page? Tell us at [email protected] and include the link to the official page that changed. See how we check.